Tuesday 17 February 2009

Update: Elizabeth Wong to resign in the interest of party - Malaysiakini

Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong (pic. left) today offered to quit from her state cabinet post and state assembly seat following her nude photographs controversy .- Malaysiakini

Wong, who first appeared calm, could not hold back her tears when announcing her decision to quit during a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana.

"I have received overwhelming support from my family, my constituents, colleagues in Pakatan Rakyat, friends and the public.

"However, in the interest of the party, I have decided to offer my resignation as exco and state rep," she said.

"I will discuss with Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to arrange for the proper hand over of my responsibilities. I will continue to serve the people and fight for justice.

"I have done no wrong and I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law and everyone has a right to privacy," she added.

Her announcement was met with cries of protest from some 30 supporters who had gathered with placards and flowers urging her to stay on.

It is now up to Khalid and the party leadership to decide on whether to accept her resignation.

Also present at the press conference were Pakatan Rakyat leaders R Sivarasa, Teresa Kok and Xavier Jayakumar.

Both Teresa and Xavier later urged Wong to reconsider her decision.

Met later, Jayakumar, who is a PKR supreme council member and Selangor exco, denied that there was any 'internal pressure' for Wong to quit.

PKR media coordinator Ginie Lim said Wong's resignation letter had been sent to the MB's office in Shah Alam this morning.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar in the meantime said that PKR will make a decision on Wong's status when she returns from extended leave.

Despite being pressed repeatedly, Anwar refused to provide a direct answer as to how long the embattled politician will be on leave.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, he said:

"I can only use the strongest possible terms to condemn the smear tactics used against her.

"One can only wonder to what depths the people behind this will stoop to achieve their ends."

The PKR supremo also described the Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson as a responsible and courageous leader who has been with the party since 2004.

"She has spoken at length to (Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail) and me. We have discussed the issues and we understand her reasons and the decision she has taken."

Earliert report here.

Related Stories:
PKR to decide after rep returns from break

The victim should not be punished, says Guan Eng

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope she stays on. If anything, I hope this incident will strengthen her as a politician. The one who should quit is the shameless former MB, Khir Toyo. The sooner he goes, the better it is for his party and for Malaysia as a whole.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Kesian dia kan.. dia tak salah..bersekedudukan /berkhalwat bagi bukan Islam memang tak salah pun jadi tak jadi isu pun...

Nordin said...

I sincerely hope she hang on.However,if she proceed with the resignation, please be assure I'll stand by your side.

Sometimes and in fact most of the times during the battle somebody has to take the bullet. The resignation might seem unfair and a lost to us and joy to the enemy.

But let hold on to our struggle together and takes on this "mortal political enemy" with pride and dignity.May be this tragedy will become the catalyst to our success to liberate our malaysian brothers and sisters.InsyaAllah.

Eric said...

Dear Selangor MB,

time for you to show leadership and reject her resignation. We Selangor people need every talented, hard-working and principled like Elizabeth Wong. Make her fight this disgusting slur standing!

What country is this where competent and dedicated ADUN resign over petty non-work-related matters while tainted frogs get to stay on?

Anonymous said...

Sigh, this entire episode is so sad. And unnecessarily blown up and sensationalized by the local press. There goes another young, vibrant, intelligent, fresh politician ... something we desperately need in this country.
Tok Mommy, are you as tired as I am, hearing of all these naked, sodomy, sex ... tales of our politicians? Isn't it time we draw the line and tell the local press they cannot report on private affairs? We want to hear about the real issues! Bunch of sickos we have in this country. (I mean the ones who start the stories!)

Lee said...

Once again this Toyo chap has shown his true colour....a shameless unprincipled opportunist whose main objective now is to win in the coming UMNO election.There are still many good peoples in UMNO and they will make sure this dangerous fellow will not be in a position to wreak havoc to our country!YB Elizabeth Wong is highly commended for resigning in the interests of the Party .She can still fight for justice in other ways.Like Arumugam, she is forced to resign.This is only the begining of gutter politics.Hovever, in both these cases the voters will have the final say!

ChengHo said...

Malaysia cannot have two set of rule , one for BN and one for PR
DP VJ , Chua and others resigned from public life....unfortunately Eli have to go...

Anonymous said...

Anwar Ibrahim anak bangsat Melayu.
Dia dulu dalam UMNO banyak kroni kaki rasuah dan seorang yan ISLAMIK??
Dulu bila cakap atas pentas mesti ada cakap pasal islam Ibnu Sina Ibnu Batutha Ibnu itu ibnu ini . Bila dah terkucil tak jadi PM dia ubah tajuk semua ibnu tak ada lagi yang dia banyak cakap sekarang pasal Ibnu Hindraf.Bilo pulak dalam sejarah islam ada nama Ibnu Hindraf?? Kena tanya budak bangsat ni apahal buat u turn sampai 360^ nih. Alahai Anwar Bangsat.Melayu nya pun dah bangsat.PAS lagi bangsat mempermainkan hukum tuhan.Bangsat bangsat.

Anonymous said...

" PULANGKAN BALEK JAWATAN MB SAYA "
Kata Khir Toyo berulangkali.